Door closer



H. G. VOIGHT DOOR CLOSER pril 25, 1944.

Filed Oct. 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. G. VOIGHT April 25, 1944.

DOOR CLOSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1942 Z 6 D an m 4 I 0 ll 3 w 0 Patented Apr. 25, 1944 noon. cLosEa Henry G. Voight, Hamden, Conni, assignor to Sargent & Company, New Haven,

poration of Connecticut Application October 9, 1942. Serial No. 461,423

12 Claims. (CI. 16-58) This invention relates to a door closer, and more particularly to a device designed to be secured to a door and door jamb and adapted to effect a controlled closing movement of the door. That is to say, the device acts as a combined door closer and check, in that, while it serves to positively close the door, the closing movement is so checked or controlled that the door will be gradually closed, and will not slam.

Door closers of the general type described above have been in use for some time, but such closers are usually made to be applied so that the casing is secured exteriorly to the door frame or door itself. In some instances such devices have been provided which could be concealed within the door casing or frame, but in such instances the operating shaft projects from the bottom of the casing of the closer, and as such devices employ hydraulic check mechanism to resist the closing of the door, difiiculty has been experienced in preventing the leaking of the liquid about the shaft. Moreover, in many cases these door closers have been of complicated construction and expensive to manufacture.

One object of the present invention is to provide a door closer employing hydraulic check mechanism in which the operating shaft projects from the bottom of the casing and in which means is provided to prevent leakage of the fluid from the casing.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a door closer which may either be mounted in a concealed position above the door lintel or in an exposed position without modification except for the employment of a different attaching bracket.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a door closer of the type described, which shall be relatively simple in construction and economical to manufacture, and at the same time positive and efilcient in operation.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a door closer mounted in concealed position above the lintel of the door, portions of the doorand door frame being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the casing of the door closer showing the internal construction;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the casing and associated parts shown in Fig. 2;

Conn., a cor- Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the piston and sleeve upon which it is mounted;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view on lines 1-1 of Fi 3;

Fig. '8 is an elevational view of the door closer mounted exteriorly of the door frame; and

9 is a bottom plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 8. d

To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 a portion of a door [0 and the associated frame ll having a jamb l2 against which the door is adapted to.

close. The door closer itself comprises a casing l3, which, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted within the door frame above the door in a concealed position.

As shown in Fig. 2, the casing I3 is substantially of cylindrical shape and is open at the top, which opening is closed by a rotatably mounted cap I4 of inverted cup shape, to be described more particularly hereinafter. The casing is provided with an opening l5 at the bottom, and surrounding this opening is a hollow sleeve-like core or bearing member 16. This member may conveniently be formed integrally with the casing l3, but in any event makes a tight fit at its lower end with a portion of the casing to prevent the escape of liquid from the liquid chamber, as will be explained later.

Within the core I6 is mounted the operating shaft ll, which, as shown in Fig. 2, extends downwardly through the opening IE to project below the casing. The projecting end of this shaft is provided with a flattened portion I8 upon which is 'non-rotatably secured the operating arm l9 by means of a nut 20 mounted on the threaded end portion 2| of the shaft [1. Pivoted at 22 to the free end of the arm i9 is a link 23 the other end of which is pivoted to the door, as at 24.

The upper end of the shaft I1 is provided with aiiattened portion 25, which lies; within the casing l3, and above this flattened portion of the shaft is a circularportion 26 of reduced diameter, which lies within an opening 21 in the cap l4, so that the shaft can rotate with respect to the cap. The shaft is held in position bya nut 28 threaded on the upper end of the shaft and abutting the upper surface of the cap l4.

Mounted exteriorly of and telescoped downwardly on the core I6 is a-rotating sleeve 30, which carries at its lower-end a wing or piston 3 l. The upper end of thissleeveis provided with a cover portion 32 within which is formed a noncircular opening 33 which fits snugly the non circular or flattened portion 25 of the shaft l1. It will be apparent that the sleeve 36] is thus connected to the shaft to rotate therewith, and it may also be noted that, While the shaft l! rctates within the core I 6, the sleeve 3|] is disposed on the outside of the core.

A coil spring 34 is mounted within the upper end of the casing |3,-on e end of this spring being suitably secured to the sleeve 30, as shown at 35, While the other end is secured, as shown at 35, to a depending skirt 3'! attached to the capv i4 and fitting snugly within the upper portion of the casing. The cap may be conveniently held in place by resting the lovverenctof the ing into the chamber 40.

effective size of this opening may be controlled by a set screw 41 threaded into a sleeve 48, which in turn is threaded into a recess in the bottom of the casing. As shown in Fig. 2, the end of the screw 41 projects from the casing so that it may be engaged by a screw driver or other tool for threaded adjustment to vary the effective size of the opening 46. Above the opening 46 the abutment 44 is provided with a second opening 49, shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the ends of which are provided with ports 50 and 5| open- As this opening extends horizontally through the abutment, it will also permit the liquid in the chamber 40 to pass skirt portion 31 upon a shoulder,-38;fo rm,ed upon the wall of the casing. As is understood in the art, if the door is opened the shaft I! will be rotated. This will serve to rotate the sleeve 30, and as the cap I4 is held against rotation, as will be later described, the spring 34 will be wound up and will eifectthe closing of the door-upon its release.

As the spring, if made'sufficiently strong to close the door under all conditions, would-effect its closing with a slam, it is desirable to provide means for checking or controlling the closing movement. While it is necessary to provide such means, it is desirable to so arrange the check mechanism that, during the latter part of the closing movement the resistance to the spring will be eased or eliminated entirely, so that the end of the closing movement will be sharply effected to insure a tight closing and overcome the resistance as the door meets the frame or jamb. This mechanism will now be described.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and '7, the wing or piston 3| is provided atthe lower end of the sleeve 30 so that itlies within the lower portion of the casing I3, and is disposed within a liquid chamber 40 formed between the bottom of the casing I3 and a circular plate 4| threadedly connected with the casing as at 42, and situated approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the casing. This chamber is normally filled with a liquid such as oil,

which is acted upon by the piston 3| when the operating shaft I1 is rotated. It is, of course, desirable to have the door move freely when'it is being opened, and only resisted during itsclosing movement.

It is, therefore, essential to provide for movement of the liquid in the chamber freely from one ,side of the piston to the other when it is rotated in the direction taken during the opening movement of the door, but to have this how of the fluid controlled or restricted when thepiston 3| is moved in the opposite direction. It is also desirable to provide meansfor reversing the control of the flow of the liquid with respect to the piston so that the same device may be employed eitherwith rightor left-hand doors. v

To effect this control, an abutment 44, shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, is-mounted in the liquid chamber 49 and may be held in position by a screw 45 passed through the casing wall. This abutment closes the chamber atthis point, fitting snugly between the wall and the sleeve 30 and extending from the lower face of the member to the bottom portion of the casmg. This abutment is provided with a horizontal opening or bore 48 which passes entirely through it from one side face to the other'so as to permit the liquid in the chamber40 to fiow'therethrough from one side of the piston 3| to the other. The

from one side of the piston 3| to the other, but

will permit the passage in one direction only.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the valve 52 is slidably mounted in the opening 49, and is provided with ends of conical shape to control the ports 50 and 5|. The opening 49 is of circular-form, while the body of the valve 52 is of rectangular form, as shown in Fig. 2, so that, while the valve has a sliding fit in the opening, the latter is not closed, there being space at the sides of the valve to permit passage of the liquid. The position of this valve may be controlled by a screw 53 threaded in a sleeve 54 secured to the casing, the screw having a semi-circular end 55 extending within a recess 56 formed in the valve member 52.

As shown, for example, in Fig. 3, the valve is in a neutral position, and the piston 3| is shown in the position it would occupy when the door is closed. If the door is opened and the piston moved in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown in thisfigure, liquid would be caused to enter the port 50 and flow out of the port 5|. This would tend to urge the valve toward the port 5|, but such movement would be prevented by the end 55 of the screw 53. However, if, after the piston 3! has been moved in an anti-clockwise direction, a return movement in a clockwise direction takes place, as during the closing movement of the door, the liquid in the chamber 40 would tend to be propelled through the opening 5|. This would cause the valve to drop, as shown in this figure, until its lower conical end closed the opening 58, which would prevent passage of the fluid in this direction. The operation of the valve in this respect can be reversed by giving the screw 53 a half turn, and thus the operation of the device may be readily changed for application to a door of either right or left hand. It will be obvious that the setting of the valve will determine the direction of rotation of the piston 3|, which will be accompanied by free movement of the liquid'through the opening 49, or which will be accompanied by no movement ,of the liquid through this opening. .It will, of course, be understood that the free movement of liquid through this opening will be permitted when the door is moving in an opening direction,- and when the door is being closed, passage of the liquid through the opening 49 willbe prevented, and-in that event the passage of the liquid from one side of the piston 3| tov the other will be through the opening 46, the effective. area of which is controlled by the screw 4'|. It will, of

. course, be obvious that regardless of the direction in which'the piston moves, the liquid will pass through the controlled opening 46, but must pass through this opening alone when the door is being closedby the spring, while it-may also pass through the opening 49' when the door is being opened.

As has been stated above, it is desirable to effect a sharp final closing movement of the door. To this end recesses 60 and BI are formed in the bottom of the casing I3, as shown in Figs. 3 and '7. It will be noted that one of these openings is formed at a greater radial distance from the center of the casing than the other. Cooperating recesses 62 and 63 are formed in the lower face of the piston 3|, one of the recesses in the piston cooperating with the corresponding or registering recess in the casing to permit the liquid in the chamber to by-pass the piston when the door is nearing its closed position. It is necessary to have two such recesses in the casing I3, so that one will be operative when the device is set for a right-hand door, and the other will be operative when the device is set for a lefthand door. When the door reaches a point about from its fully closed position, one of the recesses 62 or 63 in the piston 3 I, depending upon the hand of the door, will register with the corresponding recess 60 or 6| in the casing, and permit flow of the liquid below the piston 3I so as to relieve the liquid of its control by the restricted passage 46. This will permit a sharp closing of the door during the remainder of its movement, so that the door will be firmly closed against any resistance encountered when the door meets the jamb.

- The cap I4 at the upper portion of the casing is normally held against movement, but may be rotated to adjust the tension of the spring 34, as may be necessary depending upon the weight of the door to which the device is attached, and other conditions of the environment in which the door is mounted. To this end the cap I4 may be provided with peripheral gear teeth 65 with which engage the teeth of a pinion 66 secured at the upper end of a shaft 61 rotatably mounted in a lug 68 formed on the wall of the casing I3. The shaft may be held in position by a pin 69 disposed in an annular recess III in the shaft, and may be adjusted by means of a nut II secured at its lower end. In order that the shaft 61 may be held against rotation to hold the cap- I4 in any adjusted position, a disk I2 is secured to the shaft below the bottom of the casing, which disk is provided with notches 13 to be engaged by a screw I4 threaded in the bottom of the casing I3. As shown in Fig. 2, the screw is engaged in one of the notches of the disk I2, and hence prevents rotation of the shaft 61. This screw may, however, be rotated in a direction to move it upwardly in the recess I5 in the bottom of the casing, 50 that the lower end of the screw lies above the disk "I2. The shaft may then be rotated to properly tension the spring 34, and the screw moved downwardly again to engage in one of the notches I3.

As shown in Fig. 2, suitable packing I6 may be inserted between the member M and the sleeve 30 which carries the piston, to prevent liquid in the chamber 46 being forced upwardly around the latter. This packing may be held in position by gland nut 'I'I threadedly engaged with the member 4I.

When employed in a concealed position, as shown in Fig. l, the casing may be secured in place by means of a plate I9, shown in Fig. 4, secured to the bottom of the casing I3 by screws 80, and secured to the lintel of the door by screws passed through the opening 8|. As shown in Fig. 2, this base plate is mounted between the bottom of the casing and the operating arm I9, and is provided with an opening 82 through which extends the sleeve 48, so as to permit access to the set screw 41. The plate may likewise be provided with a cut-out portion or opening 83 to accommodate the disk I2 and screw 14.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the device may not only be employed in a concealed position, but may also be employed in an exposed position. The only change necessary to adapt the closer from the former use to the latter is the replacing of the plate I9, shown in Fig. 4, by the L-shaped supporting bracket 85, shown in Fig. 8. This bracket is secured to the lower end of the casing by the screws 8i! in the same manner as was described in connection with the plate Ill. The lower horizontal portion of the bracket 85 will be provided with an opening 86 for the disk I2 and screw I4, and also an opening 86 for the screw 41. The vertical portion of the bracket ma be secured to a vertical part 81 of the door frame by screws 88. Otherwise the construction of the closer shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is the same as that shown in Fi s. 1 to 7.

It is believed thatthe operation of the device will be sufficiently clear from the foregoing description, and that it will be obvious that a very simple and efiicient door closer has been provided, which may be applied either in exposed or concealed positions, as desired. It will also be apparent that, while the operating shaft H extends from the bottom of the casing, the latter is so constructed that no leakage of fluid will be possible.

While I have shown and described some preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all or the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the'spirit of the invention and within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a door closer, a casing adapted to be mounted on the door frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and having an end portion projecting through the lower end thereof, an arm connecting said shaft with the door, a core surrounding said shaft and fitting tightly at its lower end against a part of the casing, and means connected to said shaft to effect closing movement of the door.

2. In a door closer, a casing adapted to be mounted on the door frame,. a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and having an end portion projecting through the lower end thereof, an arm connecting said shaft with the door, a core surrounding said shaft and fitting tightly at its lower end against a part of the casing, and means .connected to said shaft to effect controlled closing of the door.

3. In a door closer, a casing adapted to be mounted on the door frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and having an end portion projecting through the lower end thereof, an arm connecting said shaft with the door, a core surrounding said shaft and fitting tightly at its lower end against a part of the casing, a spring reacting between said casing and shaft to effect rotation of the latter to close the door, a piston within the casing rotatabl with the shaft, and means within the casing to resist movement of said piston to control the closing movement effected by said spring.

4. In a door closer, a casing adapted to be mounted on the door frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and having an end portion projecting through the lower endthereof, an arm connecting saidshaft with the door, a core surrounding said shaft and fitting tightly at its lower end against a part of the casing, a spring reacting between said casing and shaft to effect rotation of the latter to close the door, a piston within the casing rotatable with the shaft, and a fluid within the casing to resist movement of said piston to control the closing movement effected by said spring.

5. In a door closer, a casing constituting a fluid chamber, an abutment in said chamber,.a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a piston in the chamber rotated by the shaft adapted to force the fluid from one side of said abutment to the other, means to control such passage of the fluid, and a hollow core surrounding said shaft and preventing contact of the fluid therewith, said shaft extending from the casing at its lower end and having an arm secured to its projecting end.

6. In a door closer, a casing constituting a fluid chamber, an abutmentin said chamber, ,a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a piston in the chamber rotated by the shaft adapted to force the fluid from one side of said abutment to the other, means to control such passage of the fluid, and a hollow core surrounding aid shaft and preventing contact of the fluid'therewith, said shaft extending from the casing at its lower end and having an arm secured to itsprojecting end, and said core being formed integrally with the casing.

7. In a door closer, a casing constituting a fluid chamber, an abutment in said chamber, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a piston in the chamber rotated by the shaft adapted to force the fluid from one side of said abutment to the other, means to control such passage of the fluid, and a hollow core surrounding said shaft and preventing contact of the-fluid therewith, said shaft extending from the casing at its lower end and having an arm secured to its projecting end, and said core fitting tightly against said casing atits lower end.

8. In adoor closer, a casing constituting a fluid chamber, an abutment in saidchamber, a shaft rotatably mountedin the casing, apiston in the.

chamber rotated by the shaft adapted to force the fluid from oneside ofsaid abutment to the other, means to controlsuch passage of the fluid, a hollow core surrounding said shaft and preventing contact of the fluid therewith and making tightlcontact at its lower end with said casing, the lower end of said shaft extending through the casing and having an arm secured thereto, and a sleeve to which said piston is secured, said sleeve surrounding said core and being non-rotatably connected to said shaft.

9. In a door closer, a casing constituting a fluid chamber, an abutment in said chamber, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a piston in the chamber rotated by the shaft adapted to force the fluid from one side of said abutment to the other, means to control such passage of the fluid, a hol low core surrounding said shaft and preventing contact of the fluid therewith and making tight contact at its'lower end with said casing, the lower end of said shaft extending through the casing and having an arm secured thereto, and a sleeve non-rotatably connected to theupper end of said shaft and extending downwardly about the core, and said piston being secured to the lower end of said sleeve.

10. In a door closer, a casing having an opening in its lower end, a hollow core member surrounding saidopening and projecting upwardly therefrom toform a liquid chamber between said member andthe casing wall, a shaft rotatably mounted within said sleeve and projecting from the casing throughsaid opening, an arm secured to said shaft, an abutment in said liquid chamber, a piston in thechamber rotated by said shaft to cause the liquid to pass from one side of said abutment to the other, and means to control. said passage to checkthe closing movement of the door.

11. In a door closer, a casing having an opening in it lower end, a hollow core member surrounding said opening and projecting upwardly therefrom to form a liquid chamber between said member and the casing wall, a shaft rotatably mounted within said sleeve and projecting from the casing through said opening, an arm secured to said shaft, an abutment in said liquid chamber, a piston in .the chamber rotated by said shaft to cause the liquid to pass from one side of said abutment to the other, means to control said passage to check the closing movement of the door, and a spring in the casing having one end secured to the shaft to urge the door to closed position.

12. In a door closer, a casing adapted to be mounted on the door frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and having an end portion projecting through the lower end thereof, an arm connecting said shaft with the door, a core surrounding said shaft and fitting tightly at its lower end against a part of the casing, means connected to said shaft to effect closing movement of the door, a spring in said casing tov effect rotation of the shaft, a cap to'which one end of said spring is connected, and means for rotating said cap to adjust the tension of the spring, said means projecting from the lower end of the casing to be accessible for operation.

HENRY G. VOIGHT. 

